Tag: Arkansas Mississippi State

Hogs fall Sunday, drop series to Mississippi State

The Hogs are just 3-3 to start SEC play. They could use an injection of health.

The Arkansas softball team isn’t exactly playing its best right now.

Of course, the Razorbacks aren’t exactly healthy, either.

The 17th-ranked Hogs fell Sunday to No. 20 Mississippi, 15-7, in five innings to drop the series to the Bulldogs, two games to one. Arkansas is now 3-3 in the SEC overall and in danger of falling of the of Top 25 when the polls are released.

With pitchers Robyn Herron and Reis Beuerlein out for the weekend, Arkansas’ lack showed at the spot in the series finale. Mississippi State racked up 13 hits, six walks and was hit by a pitch twice in those five innings. They scored nine runs in the fourth inning, none of which were earned, to ice things.

Arkansas starter Morgan Leinstock made it just through one inning, giving up six runs, all earned, one six hits, including two home runs.

The good news for the Razorbacks is that their next three series in league play come against Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina, none of which are ranked and all of which were picked to finish behind Arkansas in the preseason.

First comes a one-off game against Central Arkansas on Tuesday at Bogle Park.

Everything Eric Musselman said after Arkansas’ struggle against MSU

Eric Musselman is trying his best to avoid a fine from the SEC. He’s coming awfully close to getting one.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman’s post-game press conferences are predictable at this point.

His Razorbacks fell Saturday at Mississippi State, 71-67, in game in which Arkansas was outshot at the free-throw line 32-19. Musselman has not been a fan lately of the discrepancy between his team’s number of shots from the line compared to their opponents, especially as that style of offense is Arkansas’ bread-and-butter.

Musselman has said time and again he hesitates in being too critical of officiating because he prefers not to have to pay a fine to the Southeastern Conference for getting on the officials too much. Such was the case again Wednesday.

The reality is Arkansas played a solid game for what it had. Neither Jalen Graham or Trevon Brazile were available, which meant the Hogs had zero power forwards on the roster. Guards had to defend MSU bigs most of the game leading to a 42-27 rebounding advantage for the Bulldogs.

The good news is some of Arkansas’ players who had been struggling stepped up, giving hope to Hogs faithful and Musselman himself that the team can finish the year strong.

Here’s what Musselman had to say after the game.

The worst yet: Arkansas given a 10% chance to beat Mississippi State by ESPN

Arkansas stinks this year and Arkansas stinks in Starkville. The Hogs haven’t won at MSU in – get this – nine years. Yikes.

Dogging on ESPN has become so en vogue that it’s almost a caricature of itself among the masses. Lots of people who do it have no idea what they’re talking about.

That’s especially the case when it comes to the network’s data-driven content. Full disclosure: I am a former employee of such a department at said place. The College Football Power Index and the College Basketball Power Index are all numbers and therefore objective.

So when the BPI model states that Arkansas has just a 10% of beating Mississippi State on Saturday, no bias comes along with that. It’s just a statement of the Hogs’ flat-out indeptitude this year.

Twice this year have the Razorbacks (12-12, 3-8 in SEC) been beaten by record margins by their SEC brethren. Auburn knocked off Arkansas in January by more points than any team ever had in Bud Walton Arena. On Wednesday, Tennessee’s 29-point win was the largest margin that series history, too.

That’s how the Bulldogs, even with a sub-.500 records in SEC play themselves, are so easily favored for victory.

Really, there’s no surprise there. Arkansas hasn’t won in Starkville in – get this – nine years. Mississippi State hasn’t exactly been breaking down the walls of accomplishment for most of those nine years. The Razorbacks truly just play poorly there.

And in a season like this, in which they have exactly one impressive wins November? Yeah. Take the ‘Dogs.

What Sam Pittman said after Mississippi State loss: “It’s not acceptable for anybody”

Sam Pittman apologizes to Arkansas for the state of the Razorbacks. “I’m the head coach at Arkansas and the state deserves better.”

Everyone associated with Arkansas football is frustrated.

That’s according to program head coach Sam Pittman, anyway, whose team dropped a sixth straight game Saturday, 7-3, against Mississippi State.

The loss means that Arkansas has to win each of its remaining four games just to get to .500 overall and have a chance at playing in a bowl game. But considering Mississippi State entered winless in the SEC and won in Fayetteville, the odds of achieveing four straight wins are long.

So Pittman is frustrated, yes. Mostly, he’s disappointed. The coach is shouldering the blame for Arkansas’ troubles, troubles that no one anticipated would be quite this bad back in August.

Now, with a bye week upcoming, Pittman has decisions to make. With players. With techniques. With coaches.

Here’s what he had to say following the Mississippi State game.

Note: remarks are paraphrased

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – Players of the Game: Cam Little and…???

When your kicker and punter are your two best players, something’s wrong. Something’s wrong at Arkansas.

Kicking is kind of offense, right?

For the second straight week, the only Arkansas football player who did any significant damage with the ball was kicker Cam Little. The Razorbacks’ offense was atrocious against Mississippi State on Saturday as the Hogs provided the Bulldogs with their first SEC, 7-3, on Saturday.

Arkansas had 200 yards of total offense and scored only on its first series of the game. Even that likely wouldn’t have come had Mississippi State not thrown an interception in its own territory, allowing Arkansas to start within a legitimate scoring distance.

Whether its the offensive line that gave up another four sacks, the wide receiving corps that averaged barely five yards per catch or the running game’s 103 total yards on the ground, Arkansas’ biggest problems on offense are many to choose from.

A shame, too, considering Arkansas’ defense was dynamite yet again, making that side of the ball’s Player of the Game selection a bit tougher.

At any rate, here are our picks for the best Hogs on the day from editor E. Wayne and contributors Steve Andrews, Derek Oxford and Connor Goodson.

Social media reacts: Sam Pittman mum regarding Dan Enos’ future

Kinda feels like something is going to happen soon at Arkansas, doesn’t it?

Sam Pittman and Dan Enos go back a way. When they worked together at Arkansas under head coach Bret Bielema, the Razorbacks had one of the best offenses in the country.

Arkansas fans were hoping the reunification would allow the Razorbacks to take the next step in 2023.

It, uh, hasn’t worked.

Pittman was directly after Arkansas’ 7-3 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday whether he would consider any changes to his staff during the season. Pittman said he didn’t want to answer the question.

In other words, yes.

That doesn’t mean Dan Enos, in his first year back at Arkansas as offensive coordinator since the Bielema regime, will be let go. But the Razorbacks entered the MSU game 118th in total offense. After logging just 200 yards against the Bulldogs, that number is all but certain to fall further.

And the Hogs’ faithful were out in full force, accordingly.

Here are some of the best social-media reactions after Arkansas’ loss.

Arkansas’ offense impotent in falling to Mississippi State for sixth straight loss

The last time Arkansas heard so many boos at home was in the Chad Morris era. The Hogs went winless in the SEC back then.

The boos were loud and they were regular from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.

Arkansas left the field after its game with Mississippi State losers for the sixth straight time, falling 7-3, in front of a less-than-packed home stadium for the Razorbacks’ first game in Fayetteville in a month.

The Hogs scored on their first possession, but only after starting in Mississippi State territory after an interception. Cam Little booted a 26-yard field goal and things were looking up.

They never would again.

Arkansas finished with just 168 yards of total offense, its worst output of the season and remained winless in SEC play, falling to 0-5. The Razorbacks have four games left, but can’t lose any if they want to achieve a bowl berth.

Sam Pittman’s team had a final chance after Mississippi State missed 29-yard field goal with 1:14 left, but with no timeouts left, Arkansas stalled out at the Mississippi State 48. A last-ditch Hail Mary throw from KJ Jefferson was batted at the goal line.

Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – Second Half: LIVE BLOG

If you changed the channel, we don’t blame you. Follow Arkansas and Mississippi State here without the commitment.

Arkansas and Mississippi State did not exactly ignite Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in the first half of their game Saturday.

Mississippi State took 7-3 lead into halftime while logging just 148 yards. The Razorbacks weren’t even that good. Arkansas had just 78 yards and picked up only four first downs in the opening 30 minutes.

The Hogs scored first after intercepting Mississippi State quarterback Mike Wright on the Bulldogs’ first possession. After six plays, Arkansas’ Cam Little kicked a 26-yard field goal.

Mississippi State countered three drives later when Wright threw a touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 63-yard series and give the Bulldogs the 7-3 lead.

Follow along with what is hopefully a more entertaining half right here.

Predicting Arkansas vs. Mississippi State: Does RazorbacksWire staff have a sweep?

Arkansas isn’t in must-win situation, technically. But let’s be serious.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman didn’t quite call Saturday’s game against Mississippi State a must-win.

He wouldn’t object to the phrase, either, though.

The Razorbacks enter their final five games of the season needing at least four wins to secure a .500 record. With the .500 record comes a bowl bid. With the bowl bid comes extra practices. With extra practices come increased experience for young players.

If Arkansas loses its 11 a.m. game to the Bulldogs, the world isn’t over considering four games still remain. But if the Hogs can’t beat one of the worst teams left on their schedule, the chances shrink that they’ll beat Florida and/or Missouri later in the fall.

So how does our four-man staff here at RazorbacksWire see it going? Editor E. Wayne and contributors Steve Andrews, Derek Oxford and Connor Goodson have their picks below.

Misssissippi State still in toss-up mode for quarterback heading into Arkansas

Arkansas’ hands are full because of Mississippi State’s questions at quarterback.

Mike Wright and Will Rogers have just about the same amount of time as starting SEC quarterbacks. Their being on the same team now means Mississppi State can afford a slip here or there.

Rogers has been MSU’s starter for most of the season, but he injured his shoulder a couple weeks ago and his status for the Bulldogs’ game against Arkansas on Saturday is up in the air.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman must prepare his team for both. The situation creates a problem in and of itself because training for two is more difficult than training for one, but also because Rogers and Wright play two different styles.

Rogers is the classic, drop-back passer. Mississippi State doesn’t run the Air Raid style of offense that was so popular with former coach Mike Leach, so Rogers’ numbers are down from previous seasons, but he’s still the primary passer. Wright can pass and with some quality, but Pittman’s fear is that the Bulldogs can use him as a runner at any given moment, too.

“He throws better than I want him to,” Pittman said. “He’s fast. Obviously they’ll run him with run designed plays for him, not just read plays. Run a lot of fly sweeps with him.”

Wright built his reputation as a runner in the SEC at a different stop. He was a starter at Vanderbilt for one-and-a-half seasons before transferring in the offseason.

He didn’t overtake Rogers out of camp, however, and Mississippi State’s best chance of winning is likely with him fully healthy. But Wright’s ability have made Arkansas’ preparation tougher.

“It’s just different now knowing that Will got hurt – hopefully he’s fine – but we don’t know where that is,” Pittman said.